Preeclampsia known as a disease of vasospasm caused by extensive vascular endothelial dysfunction which occurs after 20 weeks gestation and can appear within 6 weeks after delivery. Hypertension and proteinuria are characteristics associated with presence or absence of edema. Preeclampsia is a condition that affects pregnant women by 5-14% of all pregnancies.The T- helper lymphocytes express the cluster differentiation 4 (CD4+) molecules whereas the cytotoxic T-cells express cluster differentiation 8 (CD8+) molecules. Both CD4+ cell and CD8+ cell count are used to assess the strength of an individual's immune response. Other assays that can be used to evaluate of immune condition include CD4/CD8 ratio, CD4 as well as CD8 percentages.

AIM OF THE WORK:

The aim of this work is to estimate CD4 and CD8 levels in peripheral blood and to get CD4/CD8 ratio in preeclamptic Egyptian patients to evaluate the immunological role in preeclampsia.

PATIENTS:

This case control study was conducted on 50 pregnant women in third trimester admitted to El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital 25 cases with severe preeclampsia diagnosed by clinical findings, laboratory investigations and ultrasonography admitted at eclampsia unit and 25 normal pregnant females from obstetric clinic.